Railway songs from across Japan: Japanese classics themed around trains.
Railway enthusiasts! A must-see! This time, we’ve picked out songs themed around railways from all over the country! You can really feel the love for trains.
Their passion is overflowing! If this is your first time, please take this opportunity to check them out.
You might make some interesting discoveries!
Railway Songs of Japan: Classic Japanese tunes themed around trains (1–10)
Sherpa of the Mountain PassLyrics and composition: Nana Yoshino / Vocals: Unknown
This is a song about the locomotives that operated between Yokokawa and Karuizawa on the JR Shinetsu Line, which was discontinued in 1997 (Heisei 9).
Because they climbed and descended the Usui Pass, they were affectionately known as the “Sherpas of the Pass.” Some of the vehicles are on display at the Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, where they have been set up to allow driving experience sessions.
Deki-chan trots alongLyrics and composition: Miraage / Vocals: Makopi
This is a song about the DEKI 3-class electric locomotive owned by the Choshi Electric Railway.
It is said to be the smallest locomotive among Japan’s passenger-carrying commercial railway lines.
Owing to its rarity, it is also famous for attracting railway enthusiasts from all over the country who come just to catch a glimpse of it.
Railway Song (Descent into Ōshū)Lyrics: Totsuji Shikama / Music: Hitoni Shikama / Vocals: The Dark Ducks
This is a song about what is now the Tohoku Line, composed in 1900 (Meiji 33).
It has never been released on CD and survives only on record.
The lyricist, Totsuji Shikama, was a musician from Sendai who brought the mandolin to Japan for the first time and later became an instructor of mandolin performance.
Romantic RailwayLyrics: Akira Ito / Composition: Kisaburo Suzuki / Vocals: Hi-Fi Set
This is the company song of JR Kyushu.
The lyrics were selected through an internal call for submissions at JR Kyushu and were written by an employee of the JR Kyushu Related Business Division.
Despite being a company anthem, it is unusual in that the company name appears only once.
Among the many railway songs, it is also well-known as a popular piece.
Railway Songs (Sanyō Main Line)Lyrics by Kenki Owada / Music by Umewaka Tamechi / Sung by The Bonny Jacks
This is a piece composed with themes of stations on the Sanyo Main Line and local specialties and landscapes from various areas.
It used to be performed at events such as the full-line opening ceremony of the Sanyo Shinkansen, but in recent years it is rarely played.
Also, names like station names have changed over time; incidentally, “Bakan” in number 30 refers to Shimonoseki Station.
Odakyu Pipo TrainLyrics and music by Toriro Miki / Vocals: The Peanuts
This was a former commercial song for the Odakyu Romancecar.
The title “Pipo” was chosen to evoke the sound of the Romancecar’s horn.
The phrase “pipo” appears throughout the song, making it a catchy tune that sticks in your head after just one listen.
Because I love people — Keikyū’s companionsLyrics: Kyoko Tanaka / Additional Lyrics: Toyohisa Araki / Music: Katsuhisa Hattori / Vocals: Circus
This is the company song of Keikyu Corporation.
The sound of a train horn is used at the end of the track, making it a favorite among railway enthusiasts.
The song is used not only for railways but also as background music for services Keikyu operates, such as highway buses.
In addition to this song, Keikyu also has a theme song called “Akai Densha” (The Red Train) by Quruli.